Car coupler



w. H. SALE.

March 1932.

CAR COUPLER Filed April 4, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 22, 1932. w, H SALE 1,850,943

' GAR COUPILER Filed April 4, 1929 3 SheefiS-Sheeb 2 W. H. SALE CAR COUPLER March 22-, 1932.

Filed A ril 4, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 V Patented Mar. I 22, 1932 UNITED srres WILLIAM H. SALE, or RICHMOND, VIRGINIA can coUrLEa Application filed April 4, 1929; Serial No. 352,505.

My invention relates to car couplers generally, and particularly to the well known form termed the Master Car Builders standard D-coupler. While I have selected the D coupler for the purposes of illustrating my invention, it is to be understood that my improvements are not limited in their application to this specific type.

The object of my invention is to make the iv throwing open of the knuckle, in the operation of coupling adjacent ears, positive and automatic, and to provide means at the side of the car to efiect such operation whereby the operator, by reason of his position at the side of the car is out of the danger Zone, it is not necessary to use the foot or handto open the knuckle to the coupling position and with this and other objects in view my inven tion consists of the parts, and combination of parts as will be hereinafter pointed out.

As is Well known the outward movement of the knuckle of the D coupler is normally prevented by a vertically sliding lock, and this look is usually actuated by a lifting member movably connected at its lower end to the lock and extending upwardly through the coupler head so as to be connected to an uncoupling rod. This relation of the lock lifter to the shoulder or lock down lug of the cou pier is intended to prevent the lock from accidentally moving upward and assuming an unlocked position.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a coupler ineluding my invention, the lock, knuckle opener, and lock lifter being shown in dotted lines. Figure 2 is a top plan view of the coupler embodying my invention.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the coupler partly in section.

Figure 4: is a front elevation of the coupler. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the operating parts detached from the coupler head,

i showing the closed position.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the parts in open or unlocked position.

Figure 7 is an enlarged top plan view of the knuckle thrower with associated parts.

The reference numeral 8 designates a cou- 5o p of the D t having the usual lock block 9, lock lifter 10, knuckle 11, all of which are of the standard D type construction.

l The knuckle thrower 12 is of the standard D type construction except that I provide it with a recess 13 in one of its arms which will be hereinafter referred to.

I form an opening through the bottom wall of the coupler and add two lugs 15 on opposite sides of this opening leaving bolt openings-therethrough. Between these lugs 15 I pivotally mount a bell crank lever having arms 16 and 17; the arm 16 extending upwardly through the bottom opening into the" coupler head is adapted and designed to seat at its upper end in the recess 13 of the knuckle thrower, so that when moved, as will be hereinafter described positively moves the knuckle, thrower 12 which in turn it positively moves the knuckle 11 into open or coupling position, thereby making it unnecessary for the operator to go between the cars, or use his hand, or foot to move the knuckle to open po- S llZlOl'l.

- The depending leg 18 of the lock block has the usual elongated slot 19 in which I slidably andpivotally mount the bent end 21 of the arm 20, said arm having an elongated slot 22 formed through its lower portion, below which is an opening 23. The arm 17 of the said bell crank is provided with a T or other headed pin 24 designed to reciprocate in the slot 22 of the arm 20. In adapting my improved knuckle mover, for bottom operation,

I suitably mount an uncoupling, or release riggingrod 26 on' the car and form a crank 27 On its inner end and pivotally mount the end of the crank 27 in the opening 23 of the arm 20, as clearly shown in the drawings. The outer end of the rod 26 I provide an operating handle 28 positioned at the side of the .9 car with the required clearances. .The rod 26 is supported in suitable brackets 26a.

From the above it will be seen that I do not make any changes in the standard parts of the D type coupler except to form the recess 13 in the knuckle thrower 12, and add the bell crank lever and the arm 20, lugs 15, and bottom opening from which it is obvious that at a very trifling expense D type couplers now in use may be equipped with my im- 10(1 provement. The hole bottom opening can be easily formed and the lugs 15 may be readily welded to the coupler.

For top operation an uncoupling rod is connected to the lock lift-er 10 in the usual way.

In operation, the uncoupling rod 26 is moved by the operator standing by the side of the car, and the crank 27 moves the arm 20 upward with the lock block until the T headed pin 2 1 of the bell crank arm 17 engages the lower end of the elongated slot 22 of the arm 20, whereupon the bell crank is rotated on the bolt A and the arm 16, engaging the recess 13, positively revolves the knuckle thrower 12 on its pivot B, thereby positively moving the knuckle 11 to full open coupling position, thereby making it unnecessary for the operator to pass between the cars or to use his hand, or foot, to throw the knuckle fully open. In operating from the bottom the top lifter 10 must be removed.

The throwing open of the knuckle in the coupling of adjacent cars is made positive by my invention and is absolutely safe to the operator by reason of his position at the side of the car. My improvements may be operated by all the known types of operating levers used with the D type coupler.

. Should any of the attachments I have added to the coupler become damaged or unoperative the coupler may still be operated.

What I claim is:

In a car coupler, the combination with a coupler head, knuckle, vertically movable lock for said knuckle, and a knuckle thrower, of an arm movably connected to the said vertically movable lock, an elongated slot in said 'I arm, a bell crank lever pivotally mounted on the coupler head, one arm of which operatively engages the knuckle thrower to posi tively move the thrower and knuckle to full open position, the other arm of said bell 5 crank lever being operatively mounted in the elongated slot of the arm connected with the vertically movable lock.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

WVILLIAM H. SALE. 

